Bega’s crowning glory befell under lights at Bega Recreation Ground as first grade enjoyed its third win of the season with a 20-12 defeat of the Eden Tigers in the Charity Shield.

The two teams were locked even at half-time, however Bega took full points thanks to a late try in the second half to Roosters’ captain/coach Ryan Apps, followed by a penalty field goal kicked by an in-form Adam Blacka.

Apps said considering the conditions he was happy to take the win.

“It is always a good game against Eden,” Apps said.

“They have beaten us in four grand finals in the past so it’s anyone’s game.

“It really comes down to who will grind the hardest to get through,” he said.

Eden coach Mick Wykes agreed.

“I am pretty pleased with how the game went. The conditions were bad and it was a tough grind in the second half,” he said.

Eden took first points in the game in the first 15 minutes thanks to a try to fullback Joe Stewart and a successful conversion by John Aldridge to take the score to 6-0. 

Roosters half back Tate Cochrane soon evened the score after he broke through the Tigers defence for an easy try, which Blacka converted.

Eden continued the tit for tat try scoring with a try to winger Jai Tinson and another successful conversion by Aldridge. 

In the final 10 minutes of the half Bega again equalised after a shift tackle resulted in the ball being passed to winger Leonard Fuller, who powered down the left edge for a try.

Blacka again made a difficult kick to take the score to 12-all at the break.

Apps said he advised his team to keep playing the way they were, but to try to keep their penalties down.

“They [Eden] scored all their tries off the back of penalties so we wanted to minimise that,” Apps said.

“But you can’t do much else in those sort of wet conditions.”

Wykes said he urged his team to keep it simple, complete their sets and work on their field positions.

“In the end Bega did that better in the second half, and as a result, won the game,” he said.

In the second half both teams fought it out for 20 minutes before Bega edged ahead after a Eden knock-on gave Apps the ball 20 metres out of the try line.

Apps dodged a couple of Tigers players to comfortably score, with Blacka again adding the extras.

Bega sealed the deal with five minutes left on the clock when they were awarded a penalty 30 metres out.

Blacka again proved his aim was true to wrap the game up at 20-12.

Best on field for the Roosters were Blacka, Blake Robinson and Brenton Blair, whereas Stewart, Andrew Love and Aldridge were the stand outs for the Tigers. 

Reserve grade saw the Roosters deal a crushing 44-8 blow to the Tigers, and in the women’s match the Bega Chicks left Eden scoreless with a 22-0 win. 

In round five the Roosters will play a home game on Sunday against the Batemans Bay Tigers.